Latest weapon against lionfish invasion? Meet the Roomba of the sea.

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | October 22, 2019 | Chris Iovenko

[Jagermonster]

——Why We Wrote This——

How to counter invasive species, a common, and often intractable, problem? One entrepreneur’s clever approach offers lessons in finding solutions in the unlikeliest of places.

If you can’t beat them, eat them. That is the common wisdom of many scientists, conservationists, and fishermen who dream of ridding the western Atlantic of invasive lionfish, a stunning aquarium fish that, when introduced in the wild, dominates and destroys reef ecosystems. However, catching lionfish has never been simple; they are not easily targeted by line or net fishing. Now, a surprising new invention may bring lionfish hunting to the masses and help clear the seas of this invader: a submersible robot.

With its striking stripes, diaphanous fins, and mane of colorful but poisonous spines, the exotic Indo-Pacific lionfish makes for a popular aquarium fish. But when released into the Atlantic in the 1980s (presumably by aquarium aficionados who tired of the voracious pet), the fish thrived and became a menace to native fish species and the reefs they rely upon. Lionfish populations first exploded off Florida’s coast; now, lionfish have expanded their range throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean all the way down to South America.

[ * * * ] Reef Roomba to the rescue

[ * * * ] The Guardian is a 20-pound submersible remotely operated vehicle equipped with cameras and lights – and two paddles that can deliver a 20-volt shock to a lionfish. In a boat above, a human driver with a laptop guides the Guardian toward lionfish, and can push a button that activates the paddles to stun the fish. Once stunned, they are vacuumed into a water-filled storage chamber that can hold up to 20 fish. When the chamber is

[Jagermonster]

Fish-slurping robots from the Florida coast! On the late night sci-fi horror special!

[Jagermonster]

[dfwgator]

What about Sea Bears?

Just remember, it can't be an oval, it has to be a circle!

[null and void]

"There are several invasive species around the world that we think robots could help with like pythons in Florida or the urchins in California but we might not always be underwater."

Uh oh...

[headstamp 2]

Sharks with laser beams would work better.

[Eleutheria5]

They are training football teams to perform underwater, in preparation for global warming?

[dfwgator]

They are training football teams to perform underwater, in preparation for global warming?

The Detroit Lionfishes?

[Eleutheria5]

vs. the Chicago Sea Bears.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I LOVE THIS STUFF. I JUST LOVE IT!

Smart tech makes me glad to be a human being.

[Jagermonster]

Apparently, the critters are tasty, and taste good fried. See "Can we eat our way out of the lionfish invasion?" Haven't tried them myself, but I don't eat a lot of seafood.

[Eleutheria5]

The tropical fish hobbyists who get tired of their fish could just eat them instead of dumping them, and save everyone the trouble.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Lionfish populations first exploded off Florida’s coast

For some reason, every invasive species seems to have gotten into the US through Florida. Lionfish, Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, snakeheads, Nile monitor lizards...

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

(presumably by aquarium aficionados who tired of the voracious pet),

Same for piranha in the everglades, and African snakes released into the wild.

[Jagermonster]

Probably because Florida is the most tropical area in the U.S. Warm-weather critters can make a go if it there.

[DoodleBob]

And don't tempt fate.

[robel]

Unleash the kraken!

[reed13k]

Anyone know if there is a bounty available on lion fish? Might actually be a business opportunity there if so....

[NFHale]

bkmrk

[WKUHilltopper]

Just use depth charges...

[jagusafr]

Had some in Roatan this summer. Delicious fried or grilled, or even in ceviche!